Delhi HC lets Jwala Gutta play for now

Shuttler Jwala Gutta can participate in tournaments till the time the Badminton Association of India’s (BAI) disciplinary panel reaches a decision on her alleged misconduct during a recent match, the Delhi high court said Thursday.

The doubles specialist moved court on Wednesday against BAI’s decision to temporarily ban her from national and international events. Gutta, 30, was scheduled to participate in the Denmark Open (October 15-20) and French Open (October 22-27) before BAI decided on Monday to take action against her. On Wednesday, it withdrew Gutta and her partner Ashwini Ponnappa from the Denmark Open.

“Till a decision is taken, don’t stop her from playing,” the court said. It also instructed BAI to take back its communication to the organisers of the Denmark Open, but this is unlikely to make a difference — the tournament website states Gutta and Ponnappa have given a walkover to Chinese top seeds Wang Xiaoli and Yu Yang. The BAI refused to comment.

In an Indian Badmin-ton League tie in August, the Krrish Delhi Smashers and their icon player Gutta allegedly threatened to pull out against the Banga Beats over a player replacement, prompting a disciplinary panel to recommend a life ban for her. It said a lenient view could be taken if Gutta apologised.

“The emphasis in the disciplinary committee report appears to be more on her refusal to apologise and less on the nature of the misconduct,” the court said.

Gutta and Ponnappa have won a world championship bronze (2011) and Commonwealth Games gold (2010).